Dear Expat
I hope you can help me. My name is Sophie and I work for a TV production company called Ricochet. We are making an exciting new prime time series that follows the trend of 'Reverse Migration' - people leaving the UK for the promise of a better life where their parents or grandparents come from, either to pursue potentially exciting career or business opportunities, or in search of a better lifestyle.
We have a family who are potentially moving to either Nairobi or Mombassa in Kenya for a few months to 'road test' a life out there. We are considering filming their journey which would be broadcast on a major channel here in the UK. However the process of application requires me to research the area in great detail and it is for this reason I am contacting you.
The family will be moving to Kenya for between 3 and 4 months to find whether or not they want to make a permanent move. So they will be looking at jobs, business opportunities, schools for their children and housing. They think they would either like to live in Nairobi or Mombassa . I was hoping you might be able to help me with information on both these areas as it is essential for our research prior to their trip.
Here is a bit of background information on the family:
Mum is Indian. She was born in Nairobi but grew up in the UK and has relatives over in Kenya.
Dad is Black British born in the UK. His family originate from Jamaica.
They have 4 children under the age of 10.
Currently Mum is housewife and Dad is a Youth Worker supporting Foster kids and training to be a chef.
Mum speaks Urdu and Hindi. Dad does not.
Mum has visited twice since her birth with two of the kids when they were very young. Dad has never been.
They currently live in a 3 bed Terrace in Brixton.
Mum, as a qualified Tefal English teacher, hopes to teach in private schools or directly to business men.
Dad would like to set up a fly fishing tour company - hiring a boat, buying equipment and perhaps building a fishing lodge.
I would be extremely grateful if you could answer any of the questions below on the area, work, lifestyle and education. If you would prefer me to call and discuss over the phone then I am happy to do that. Please ignore any that you aren’t sure about.
AREA
Please describe the area? Wealthy? Rural? Up and coming?
How safe is it where they are planning to live? Gated communities? Safe to live in private villa or need security?
How safe is it generally?
WORK
What opportunities are there for work?
How much of an asset would their UK skills be?
What are the drawbacks of being British in the work environment?
Fishing
Dad wants to set up a fly fishing company.
Can you tell me how easy/difficult it is to get a licence and insurance? and the cost?
Can you give me an idea of equipment costs? Will he need to hire a boat?
Which areas should he look into? and which areas should he stay away from?
They hope to live in a 6 bed lodge by a fishing river. How much to buy? How much to build? How much to rent? (not holiday let – for 6 month lease)
Teaching English
Mum is a qualified Tefal English teacher. She hopes to teach in private schools or directly teach businessmen.
Is there much demand for these roles?
Do you think its likely she will get a job in a private school?
What does it pay?
Who else does these jobs?
Have you heard of people teaching businessmen English? is it hard to get into?
What does it pay?
LIFESTYLE
Who lives there? Ex pats? Locals? Born in UK or returning?
How well are British ex pats accepted? How easy to make friends?
How feasible to live where and how they want to live? Too expensive? Will they have to consider other places?
What sort of lifestyle could you have out there on that money? Luxurious? Middle class? Not great?
How many other people are there like them?
How much do groceries cost for a family of 6?
What sort of cultural things could they get into?
What are the drawbacks of being British in general life out there?
Are there any social rules we need to be aware of?
EDUCATION
What are the schools like in their area? Private? international, state? - Well equipped? Poverish?
Who goes to private/international? Many kids like them from UK?
Who goes to state? Only poor kids or also middle class?
What type of discipline do each type of school have?
What is the strictest school out there? why?
What are the kids like under the age of 10 out there? how do they differ from the UK?
What activities are there for kids outside school?
Is there anything important we should know?
Thank you so much! I really appreciate any help with this. Once again, if you would prefer to discuss these questions on the phone please don’t hesitate to call us on 0044-1273 224816 or please email me a contact number.
Yours sincerely
Sophie Chandler
Kenya
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